from Hacker News

The tale of two Shanghais

by vrnvu on 12/15/24, 10:29 AM with 18 comments

  • by dewey on 12/17/24, 1:00 PM

    I finished the book "Last Kings of Shanghai" (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48890489-the-last-kings-...) a few days ago and it has some overlap with this article. It's a very good and interesting read if you are curious about this part of the history, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Opium Wars etc.

    Can highly recommend it!

  • by kaycebasques on 12/17/24, 3:26 PM

    Often, as I look at Salesforce Tower in SF, I remember that Shanghai Tower is twice as tall.

  • by tugu77 on 12/17/24, 8:54 AM

    I'm quite disappointed by the article. It's not really about two Shanghais. Sure, it mentions an alleged divide, but it then doesn't actually explore the contrast but spends most of the time with skyscaper porn. I'm sure the average Shanghaian would be a little offended if their city is reduced to those.

  • by 1oooqooq on 12/15/24, 11:00 AM

    > I was initially fascinated by the amount of engineering that goes into extreme buildings. That fascination shifted as I started to see skyscrapers as cultural markers, and the results of complex systems of economics and politics.

    I don't think any field is free from this adage.